Four years after the study was due, officials yesterday released a blueprint for the next generation of bus and rail projects, proposals not only to help people get around but to make smarter use of land and resources.

"It's a guidebook to the future," said Jim Hassinger, executive director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, the planning agency that sets transportation funding priorities for the 10-county region.

The 147-page document, titled the Regional Strategic Transit Visioning Study, also contains a "toolbox" of suggestions and guidelines to create more transit-oriented and people-friendly developments with less sprawl and more focus.

A few moments earlier, the Port Authority board gave tentative approval to the type of undertaking the study has in mind: a seven-story building and parking garage at the Castle Shannon light-rail station and a 500-space park-and-ride lot next to it. Retail stores at ground level would be topped by 115 apartments.

But wheels turn slowly.

The Port Authority and developers have been pursuing a transit-oriented development at the same site since 2000.

The Transit Visioning Study, a $2 million-plus plan, also began in 2000. It was supposed to be finished and released in June 2002.

The study was finally made public yesterday, part of the 2006 Smart Growth Conference at the Omni William Penn Hotel, becoming the apparent framework for the next generation of public transit investments.

While the study lists $9.8 billion worth of projects, based on 2002 prices, it estimates the region will have only $2.8 billion to spend. As a result, the list was characterized as a "menu" from which the community and leaders can pick and choose.

"It's not a 'must-do tomorrow' list but covers decades and provides a new view of how to build and revitalize communities," Mr. Hassinger said. "With focused growth, the region will save $5 billion in projects that will not have to happen," such as building and locating major projects based on politics rather than effective, efficient and sustainable use of land.

"We can be smarter about how we invest in transportation," said Caren Glotfelty, the director of environmental programs for The Heinz Endowments, which contributed $500,000 toward the cost of the study and espouses smarter land-use policies. "Regional solutions to growth and development come together in this study. We've been anxious to see it released."

The study found the region has a strong public transportation system supporting the urban core, or Pittsburgh, mostly. It says the system has to be strategically integrated and expanded to support a stronger regional economy and rein in urban sprawl.

The transit projects are not necessary new ideas but are now assembled in a single, comprehensive document. Here are the highlights:

Expand the Port Authority's light-rail system by 40 miles, providing convenient, multi-modal access to other public transit facilities and services.

Add up to 100 miles of busways and-or exclusive bus lanes on existing roads. Service would be enhanced by improved passenger facilities, real-time bus arrival information, priority traffic signals and alternative-fuel buses.

Establish 52 miles of passenger rail service to outlying communities, such as Greensburg. Four prospective commuter rail lines are identified.

Make some major bus changes, including circulator buses within the region's larger communities; coordinating existing service while eliminating duplicate service; and establishing 50 additional suburban, local and intercounty bus routes.

Provide 167 transit-related upgrades ranging from construction of new intermodal facilities to customer amenities at existing transit stations.

Consider automated guideway transit systems like West Virginia University's people mover in high-volume traffic corridors.

The study projects that average daily transit ridership in the region would grow from 262,000 a day to 408,000 a day.

The study is a joint effort of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, Port Authority, City of Pittsburgh, The Heinz Endowments, Steel Industry Heritage Corporation and Port of Pittsburgh.

The Transit Visioning Study can be viewed on the Internet at www.portauthority.org or at www.spcregion.org/trans_2020.shtml.